As I sit here, the little gas stove is burning merrily away to keep the room warm, as the real stoves have been packed. I'm
very sorry we didn't have a chance to really work here, as it is the nicest set-up I've ever been in. But the brass
have other plans for us.

Meanwhile, we, like you must be doing also, hover over the news of the progress of the German counter-thrust. The news today
is encouraging, particularly the entrance of the air force into the picture. It appears, that the Hun is playing his last
trump; it also appears that he isn't going to win any important trick with it. Let's hope his losses will cost him
time in the long run!

There has been no mail for several days. I suspect the APO's are trying to get those packages through before Xmas, and
having a tough job of it. Anyway, two of mine have arrived, so I will have some things for Christmas day, and also the fun
of having things continue to come in afterwards. (Unless, some damn German got them!)

Am enclosing the editorial from a recent issue of the "Stars & Stripes." This is the Paris edition which serves
as newspaper for the Army. I should send you an edition or two so you could see what we have to read. It is usually quite
excellent. We also get Yank pretty regularly, which is a bar-no-holds, fighting magazine (weekly) written for fighting men.
These two papers constitute practically the entire reading material, and, plus the BBC newscasts, the entire news for almost
all the men in combat, or near it. You can get Yank through your friends at Fitzsimons, or Buckley, and you should read it
as it is the truest account of what war is like. This editorial struck me as interesting in view of what I've been writing
you about Greece, etc. The editorial force of the "S & S" is excellent; high sentiments written in straight-from-the-shoulder,
man-to-man fashion. Some think it low-brow; let them try to reach the hearts of G.I.'s with Oxford English. It can't
be done! These carry a punch, I think you will agree.

An additional and very important thing is that "Lil Abner" and "Terry and The Pirates" are a regular feature,
being about two weeks behind the U.S. papers. Thus, if you send the Sunday "Terry" (which doesn't come out over
here) to me, it will arrive at a time which will roughly correspond with the status of events in the "S & S".
(Just a hint.)

Well, sweetheart, the lights will soon be off for the night, and I must to bed. I'm missing you very much right now, and
wishing I were home to help you with all the little things which go to make up Christmas at home. You are a very present comfort
to me at times like these when the petty things in life are intrusive, and obstinate.